Landlords and property agents have welcomed the launch of Abu Dhabi's first residential rental index, but tenants worry it could lead to higher rents.
The rental index is now available on the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec) website, highlighting average rental costs across the capital.
It offers reliable data on properties, including past and current rental rates, to help residents and those living abroad better understand the market, said Adrec.
Mubarak Al Amry, owner of Mi Casa Real Estate, said it is a big step for the city and has the potential to bring “great benefits”, but at the same time there are possible downsides that may affect agencies' bottom line.
Tenants also worry it could prompt landlords to fix prices unfairly.
When Yas Acres resident Ryaan Sharif moved home in 2021, much of his decision making relied on trusting his agent's opinion on pricing. "Had the Abu Dhabi index benchmark been available during our search, it would have been incredibly valuable," he told The National.
"While we were fortunate to secure a property at what seems to be a reasonable rate, having access to a benchmark report would have provided us with a more informed basis for negotiation. Unfortunately without such a resource, many people ended up overpaying, only realising it after it's too late."
Mr Al Amry highlighted this as one of the biggest benefits of the index, offering tenants greater transparency and giving them the tools to make smarter choices.
It will also offer real estate agencies a clear guide to set rental prices, he added. "It helps [agencies] understand the market better and might even spark a bit more competition."
Greater transparency in a market indicates continuing development, highlighted Svetlana Politova, chief operating officer of Whitewill Abu Dhabi, who believes the index is a valuable tool for everyone.
“It allows individuals to make more informed decisions, while policymakers can address issues such as affordability, rent control and housing supply, which is beneficial for the overall market."
The index will also allow property agencies to build trust and credibility with tenants by offering accurate rental estimates, Ms Politova added.
Paola Erazo of Sunday Morning Real Estate, who along with her husband owns five properties on Reem Island, and is a tenant herself, agreed it will help ease negotiations with potential renters.
“When someone first arrives in the country, you never know if [agents] are giving them good or bad prices for a property,” she said. “For tenants, it’s going to be good because they’ll know which area they want to choose and the average prices.
"As a landlord, it’s also going to be good because you can tell them to check prices on the index and it’ll be easier to have negotiations."
Potential downsides
Esther, a school administrator who rents in Khalifa City A, said the transparency of information that the rental index offers will undoubtedly be useful for landlords and renters.
“But while it’s good for investors to know there has been an increase in yearly rent, I hope it doesn’t compel them to hike these prices unnecessarily,” she added.
Ms Erazo said it is possible some landlords might take advantage by increasing the price of a property to match or even exceed that of the index, when its true value is less.
“Some properties are not in shape to be increased that much, or to cost that much, but the demand and the offer will decide. Often people demand really high prices but can’t keep a tenant for more than two or three months. And while a lot of properties don’t deserve that price, when you have a need to rent, you’ll go for it.”
Ms Erazo said in the end it often comes down to supply and demand.
"The index may say one thing but some buildings always have a waiting list. A property might go up for rent in the morning and by the afternoon you always have a proposal.”
Blind dependence on the index, meanwhile, could also lead to tenants and industry professionals overlooking other crucial factors that influence rental rates, said Ms Politova, “such as property conditions, neighbourhood amenities and local market trends. [An index] doesn’t always capture the nuances and variations of local rental markets.”
This is particularly true for premium and luxury properties, which are in high demand across Abu Dhabi. “The index might not capture their true value,” said Mr Al Amry. “This can make it difficult to set higher rents and could impact our revenue.
“And since the index makes pricing so transparent, tenants might start moving to more affordable areas. This could boost competition and potentially reduce rental returns for some properties.”
A 'buzzing' rental market
The new announcement comes as rents continue to rise in the Abu Dhabi market, which Mr Al Amry described as “buzzing”.
Apartment rents increased by 2 per cent annually in the capital during the second quarter, while villa rents jumped 5 per cent, according to the latest report from Asteco.
A separate report by CBRE, a global leader in real estate services, showed average apartment rents increased by 6.6 per cent in the second quarter compared to a year earlier, and average villa rents grew by 2.5 per cent. Average costs stood at Dh66,375 and Dh166,261, respectively ($18,070 and 45,260).
The emirate also recorded a significant increase in residential rental contracts during the first half of this year, with 49,135 contracts registered, according to data released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi.
This is an increase of 24,811 contracts compared to the same period last year, demonstrating a 102 per cent growth.
This demand is often outweighing supply in many areas, which has in turn led to an increase in rental costs.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Groom and Two Brides
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
FIXTURES
UAE’s remaining fixtures in World Cup qualification R2
Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
Nov 12: Thailand (h)
Nov 17: Vietnam (h)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Racecard
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
